My 72 Z was involved in a hit and run

[slingblade]

I was in Arlington fixing my sons car and on the way back home was at a light behind a truck and got slammed from the rear by a 4 door lincoln doing what felt like 50mph but was prolly 30mph. He then backed up and hauled arse. After a trip to the ER I got to looking at my car today and although I think she can be fixed, I am not sure she isn't bent. Adjuster stated over the phone it would probably be a total. I have been looking and 240z's are doing well. Classic Auto Trader has a good artical on them this month and the 240 is on the cover. It says 6300 low 19500 high and 10200 average. Average being good 20 foot paint, no mechanical issues, ect. Which my baby was. I was more worried about my car than me and soon realized that I was hurt.

SO. My car had 117k original miles, NO dents, slight bubbling at bottom of doors, no a/c, and everything works. All glass good interior fair, original window sticker and manuals, ect. How do I do my own homework so that I can be informed when he tries to screw me? I want to make sure I am informed and that I get a fair value for my car. If anyone can help me with this please respond

Robert

Adjuster will be here in the morning

Edited December 20, 2010 by slingblade

[palosfv3]

Is your policy a standard collision policy that is for its current market value or an agreed value for a specified amount. Which insurance company are you working with ?

Many of your daily driver type insurance companies are not well versed in special interest or collector type cars and will many times quote values that may be puzzling as to how they came up with them.

Remember this quote , " Where is the car that is available locallyand just like mine for the amount your suggesting its worth ? If you cant produce this car your offer is invalid and needs to be reassessed. "

Also check with your state department of insurance . There should be a pamphlet that outlines what your insurance should do in a total loss situation and the rights you have as a consumer if you can not find a replacement for the money they are offering.

You can check through these links for further info.

Insurance consumer advocate websites

http://www.ican2000.com/

http://www.stopsteering.com/Information.html

There is a lot of usefull info on these sites . It may take a while to read evrything pertinent.

[slingblade]

I told him that if he totals it then I better get enough to replace it. He stated he would base it on a national average price that a 72 datsun 240z sells for. But where does he get THAT number from?

[Carl Beck]

Insurance companies here in Florida - get their "average sales price" from the State of Florida Sales Tax records. We all know how accurate they are .... almost every 240Z sold here is sold with a reported sale price of either $100.00 or $500.00. So if you get lowballed - you'll have some idea where they are getting their numbers. Second source is NADA's Classic/Collector Car Price Guide - You should look that up and print a copy out for your adjustor.

Keep in mind - if you have a injury and thus medical claims - - - -getting you to sign a Medical Waver will be the Adjustors primary objective. Under NO circumstances should you ever tell anyone that you are "OK", or that you weren't hurt. Under NO circumstances should you agree to sign off on a Medical Waver BEFORE you have a check for your car.

Personal Injury is the ONLY thing that gives you any leverage with insurance Claims Adjustors - and Personal Injury is the ONLY thing that Lawyers will get involved with - - - You said you were hurt - stay that way and keep going for medical treatment.. until they come up with a figure for your car and they agree to pay the medical bills....

FWIW,

Carl B.

[slingblade]

Don't have to worry about the hurt part my back is killing me. I had a simialar deal with workmans comp from an injury that resulted in 2 neck surguries. I am not signing anything until I know my back is good to go.

[Oiluj]

Everything Carl said. Don't give-up your leverage with the insurance company!

Worry about health first, but I hope you get what she is/was worth.

[cygnusx1]

In NY last year the going rate for taxation purposes, of a 1972 Z was about $12K. The DMV looked it up for me when I went to register the car.

BTW where can I see a copy of Classic Auto Trader with the Z article? Is it a national magazine?

Edited December 21, 2010 by cygnusx1

[slingblade]

In NY last year the going rate for taxation purposes, of a 1972 Z was about $12K. The DMV looked it up for me when I went to register the car.

BTW where can I see a copy of Classic Auto Trader with the Z article? Is it a national magazine?

It should be. Auto Trader I am sure isn't just a Texas thing as it has cars listed from all over the US. It is on the magazine stands now. I know that I am having a hell of a hard time finding another 240z that I can afford. Adjuster will be here this morning, I am sure this is going to turn into a fight with the insurance company.

Edited December 21, 2010 by slingblade

[IdahoKidd]

Bummer about the back injury. I've been there. It sucks! And nothing visible so no sympathy from most anybody else either. Best wishes in a healthy recovery. There are lots of cars to replace if necessary so that should be secondary.

As the others have chimed in, Autotrader and related advertising media are a good source. I clip them from time to time to put in a file to have a record of replacement value (try replacing a 57 Volvo 444K). If you don't mind sharing, some of us would certainly like to know what happens with the car as far as the insurance issues go. Not trying to be nosey, just establishing a value and some sort of expectation when if it ever happens to us. I am assuming you had uninsured motorist and the "full coverage" insurance? Just liability, which is all some insurer's will allow on a car that old, won't cover you or your vehicle at all.

Best of luck!

[slingblade]

Bummer about the back injury. I've been there. It sucks! And nothing visible so no sympathy from most anybody else either. Best wishes in a healthy recovery. There are lots of cars to replace if necessary so that should be secondary.

As the others have chimed in, Autotrader and related advertising media are a good source. I clip them from time to time to put in a file to have a record of replacement value (try replacing a 57 Volvo 444K). If you don't mind sharing, some of us would certainly like to know what happens with the car as far as the insurance issues go. Not trying to be nosey, just establishing a value and some sort of expectation when if it ever happens to us. I am assuming you had uninsured motorist and the "full coverage" insurance? Just liability, which is all some insurer's will allow on a car that old, won't cover you or your vehicle at all.

Best of luck!

I didn't have full coverage but DID have unisured motorist, which is paying for a rental, missed work, and my car.

[slingblade]

Ok adjuster just left. What they are going to do is a national search for 72 Datsun 240z's within the miles of mine "117k", above average mechanical, above average interiot and average paint. My check will be what the average cost of that type of car is.

After I find out the amount I will be back in the market for another 240z. Pretty cool that this little car has taken a Chevy hotrod guy and made me like the little 240z's.

Edited December 21, 2010 by slingblade

[ArnieTX]

Do you have pics? How do you know it's beyond repair?